Gloves off as Romney, Gingrich Duke it Out in Florida

WASHINGTON - The GOP fight moved to Florida as Republican candidates for President gathered there for a debate Monday night.

This was a low-volume debate, but one thing was clear -- Mitt Romney is on the attack.

Right from the start, Romney didn't hold back.

"The Speaker was given an opportunity to be the leader of our party in 1994. And at the end of four years, he had to resign in disgrace," said Romney.

Newt Gingrich replied, "He just said at least four things that are false. I don't want to waste the time on them."

Rick Santorum and Ron Paul were largely relegated to the sidelines. But that is how Florida is playing out -- a race between Gingrich, now working Florida crowds with the boost he got from winning South Carolina over the weekend and Romney, whose big campaign operation and deep pockets give him advantages in Florida.

On Tuesday, his much-discussed tax returns are out, showing he made more than $21 million in 2010.

"I pay all the taxes that are legally required and not a dollar more. I don't think you want someone as the candidate for president who pays more taxes than he owes."

Gingrich had his own disclosure to deal with -- his consulting contract with much maligned mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

"Freddie Mac was paying Speaker Gingrich $1,600,000 at the same time Freddie Mac was costing the people of Florida millions upon millions of dollars," said Romney.

NBC's Brian Williams asked Gingrich, "You never peddled influence, as Governor Romney accused you of tonight?"

"You know, there is a point in the process where it gets unnecessarily personal and nasty. And that's sad," answered Gingrich.

And that may be the big takeaway from this debate -- Gingrich, who has gotten so much attention for his fiery debate performances is dialing it back, assuming the role of the frontrunner.